Two cabochon-cut lapis lazuli stones catch the eye with a deep, navy hue, here and there flecked with a fine golden vein of pyrite. The smooth cabochon cut doesn't break this colour into facets, but lets it spread across the stone's surface in one calm, matte sheet. In ancient cultures lapis lazuli was linked to idealism, intuition and inner harmony, which suits the retro character of this bracelet well. The vintage shape of the links and the setting of the stones in a simple silver mount give the whole piece a slightly archival, collectible feel, with no unnecessary ornamentation on the wrist.

Only a small share of the raw material examined makes it into these two stones - what matters is depth of colour and the absence of lighter discolouration, which is why the final quality at this price is surprising. Silver and good coloured stones rise in price year after year, so buying now makes sense. The bracelet is made of refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, coated with a layer of rhodium - a hard metal resistant to scratching, which protects the surface from tarnishing and keeps the shine for a long time. The alloy contains no nickel or other harmful additives, so it can be worn without worrying about skin irritation. The French maker's mark visible on the piece attests to the origin of the silver. The bracelet is 16 cm long with an adjustable 4 cm extension, allowing it to be fitted to wrists of different circumferences, and it weighs 4.6 grams.

For an evening out it works well with a little black silk dress - showing beneath a short sleeve or cuff, it draws attention to the hand without the need for further accessories. It also looks good against a smooth sweater in cool grey, where the navy of the stone gains even more depth. The vintage style of this bracelet suits understated, classic looks, in which it's the lapis lazuli that leads the eye.